President Museveni tasks cultural leaders on African heritage, wealth creation and national development

What the report says

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Uganda’s traditional and cultural leaders to play a stronger role in protecting Africa’s heritage, encouraging continental unity and supporting community wealth creation. According to Watchdog Uganda, he made the remarks at State House, Entebbe, on the first day of a two-day conference with cultural leaders from across the country.

Museveni said cultural institutions should focus on preserving historical identity, indigenous knowledge, languages, skills and practices, while working alongside, rather than competing with, elected government structures. He also warned against politicising cultural institutions and said their role should remain centered on cultural preservation, guidance and social cohesion. He linked this to broader development goals, including food security, household income growth and stronger regional markets.

The President highlighted indigenous knowledge in areas such as farming, livestock keeping, fishing and craftsmanship, saying it should be documented and passed on to younger generations. He also pointed to East African and continental trade frameworks such as the EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA as tools for expanding markets and supporting economic independence. In general terms, his comments reflect a long-running government theme that culture, identity and development can reinforce one another.

Cultural leaders, through their representatives, proposed closer partnership with government on agriculture, tourism, women’s economic empowerment, skills development and cultural preservation. They also suggested model farms, a digital cultural park and a national cultural festival. Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, called for joint action on social problems including gender-based violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, unemployment and discrimination against persons with disabilities.